Alcoholics Anonymous is the most well-known and popular treatment for alcoholism. Roughly one million people in the United States alone participate in the program, in which recovering alcoholics provide each other with mutual support and guidance. AA is considered so effective that many courts require individuals convicted of alcohol-related crimes to attend AA meetings, and the twelve-step philosophy created by AA founder Bill Wilson has been adopted by other organizations such as Narcotics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous.

The twelve steps require alcoholics to overcome denial by admitting that they are powerless over alcohol and acknowledging the harm that drinking has caused themselves and others. Other important steps require alcoholics to turn to a higher power to help them control their addiction, and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

Countless recovering addicts praise the twelve steps, but many others have had only...